Beloit Art Center announces December Exhibits

Susan Porubcan

Helen Klebesadel

Beloit Art Center announces December Gallery Exhibits

Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the December exhibits which will open with a First Friday
Gallery Reception on December 5 from 5-7pm. A gallery talk featuring the artists will be held at 6pm.
Both exhibits will be open through the end of the month.  In the Sveum Gallery, artwork by Helen Klebesadel, will be on display. Born and raised in rural Wisconsin, Klebesadel’s art is the place where she explores her deepest values.  She is best known for her. environmental and women centered watercolors painted on paper, board, and canvas.  Her watercolors push the traditional boundaries of the medium in scale, content, and technique. Ranging in size from the intimate to the monumental, her paintings are transparent watercolors on paper, Aquabord, and canvas. Beloit Filmworks is the December Sveum Gallery sponsor.

In the Bell Gallery, artwork by Susan Porubcan, will be on display. Porubcan aligns herself with watercolor enthusiasts. Other mediums she dabbles in are cut paper, colored pencil, and acrylics. However, watercolors are where her heart is.  Although she mainly paints photorealistic items, she finds abstraction can be a very powerful tool in conveying a deeper connection into the life of a work of art. Woodman’s is the December Bell Gallery sponsor.

Looking for more art in the community?  Be sure to stop by the Beloit Public Library to view featured art by Creswell D’sylva and Bagels and More to view featured art by Greg Lamont.  Member Artists, Ben Henthorn and Jo Christofferson will have their works displayed in the Members Gallery at the Beloit Art Center through the end of the year.

​Beginner Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel, Tuesdays, December 2, 9, and 16, and January 6, 13, and 30, 2026 from 4 to 6 p.m. Cost to attend is $140. Students new to wheel throwing or wanting to brush up on their skills will begin to explore the world of throwing on the pottery wheel in this introductory class. Starting with cups and goblets, we will also develop the skills to throw bowls during our 6-week class.  Students will learn glazing methods needed to finish their unique pots. Returning students who are comfortable with centering and raising a cylinder might consider the Intermediate Throwing class. Clay and glaze will be provided. Students will need to provide their own tools, apron and hand towel.  Handbuilding Pottery Class, Thursdays December 4, 11, and 19, and January 8, 15, and 22, 2026 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cost to attend is $165. Students will explore the world of handbuilding with clay. We will examine fundamental construction strategies including pinch, coil and slab in this six week class.  Students will learn glazing methods needed to finish their unique pots. Clay and glaze will be provided.  Students will need to provide their own tools, apron and hand towel.  Kids Holiday Gift Workshop, Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $25. Students ages 7-12 will be encouraged by instructor Kim Klatt to explore different art materials, while creating meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts they'll be proud to share. Students will have opportunities to hammer and texturize metal, paint in watercolors and acrylics, design jewelry, work with leather, create by collage, and more. No prior experience needed—just bring your holiday spirit! All materials provided.  Students will create at least three holiday gifts wrapped, tagged, and ready for giving!  Mosaic Snowman Workshop with Cheryl Kitzman, Tuesday, December 9, from 5:15 to 8:15 p.m..  Cost to attend is $60. Celebrate the season! Design your own framed glass snowman bursting with color and texture. Artist Cheryl will provide the outline and guide you step by step as you work with stained glass and mosaic pieces on a glass surface. All materials are included.

Save the date! Join us during City of Beloit Winterfest for a fun-filled Jigsaw Puzzle Fundraiser
Competition on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The event kicks off at 10 am with the competition starting at 10:30 a.m. Teams of four will compete to finish the puzzle first and teams get to keep the completed puzzle.  Coffee and pastries will be provided and the cost per team is only $80 if you register by January 17, 2026.  $100 per team if you register January 18-21, 2026.

Looking to connect with other area artists? The Open Studio Art Group meets weekly on Thursday
evenings from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. to work on projects and talk art.  A studio leader is available to help with tips and techniques. All mediums and skill levels are welcome. Drop-in enrollment is $7 per session.  Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Beloit. The gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery and gift shop hours are Monday 10 am – 2 pm, Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday 10 am – 2 pm.